While travelling over the prairie which borders upon that part of St.
Peter that connects Lac-qui-parle with Big Stone Lake, our attention
was aroused by the sight of what appeared to be buffaloes chased
across the prairie. They, however, soon proved to be Indians. Their
number, at first limited to two, gradually increased to near one
hundred. They were seen rising from every part of the prairie, and
after those in the advance had reconnoitered us and made signals that
we were friends by discharging their guns, they all came running
toward us, and in a few minutes we found ourselves surrounded by a
numerous band. They had at first been apprehensive that we might be
enemies, and this was the cause of the different manœuvres which they
made previous to discharging their guns. The effect of these guns
fired upon the prairie in every direction, and by each as soon as he
had required the requisite degree of certainty that the strangers
were friends, was really very beautiful.
As they approached we had an opportunity of observing that these
Indians were good-looking and straight; none were large, nor were
remarkable for the symmetry of their forms. They were for the most
part destitute of clothing, except the breech-cloth which they wore.
Some of them, and particularly the young men, were dressed with
care and ostentation. They wore looking-glasses suspended to their
garments. Others had papers of pins, purchased from the traders, as
ornaments. We observed that one who appeared to be a man of some
note among them had a live sparrow-hawk upon his head by way of
distinction; this man wore, also, a buffalo-robe, on which eight
bear-tracks were painted. Some of them were mounted on horseback,
and were constantly drumming with their heels upon the sides of
their horses, being destitute of whip and spur. Many of them came
and shook hands with us, while the rest were riding all round us in
different directions. They belonged, as we were told, to one of the
tribes of the Dakotas. Their chief being absent, the principal man
among them told us that they had thirty lodges of their people at the
lower end of the lake, and invited us to visit them, which invitation
we accepted. These Indians demonstrated the greatest friendship
and affection at seeing us. The village to which they directed us
consisted of thirty skin-lodges, situated on a fine meadow on the
bank of the lake.
Their permanent residence, or at least that which they have occupied
for the last five years, is on a rocky island in the lake, nearly
opposite to, and within a quarter of a mile of their present
encampment. Upon the island they cultivate their cornfields, secure
against the aggressions of their enemies. They had been lately
engaged in hunting buffalo, apparently with much success.
The principal man led us to his lodge, wherein a number of the
influential men were admitted, the women being excluded. But we
observed that they, with all the children, went about the lodge,
peeping through the crevices, and not unfrequently raising the skins,
to observe our motions. They soon brought in a couple of large wooden
dishes filled with pounded buffalo meat boiled, and covered with the
marrow of the same animal; of this we partook with great delight. It
was the first time that several of the party had tasted fresh buffalo
meat; and it was the first meal made by any of us upon fresh meat
since we had left Fort Anthony.
During the entertainment Major Long made known to them the objects
of the expedition, at which they appeared very much gratified. As
we rose to depart we were informed that another feast was preparing
for us in one of the adjoining tents, of which we were invited to
partake. We were too familiar with Indian manners not to know that
the excuse of having just eaten a very hearty meal would not be
considered as sufficient among them; and so we readily resigned
ourselves to the necessity of again testifying our friendly
disposition by doing honor to their meal. It consisted of a white
root, similar in appearance to a small turnip; it is called by the
French _pomme blanche_. It was boiled down into a sort of mush, and
was very much relished by most of the party; had it been seasoned
with salt or sugar, it might have been delicious. This was held, even
by the guides, to be a great treat. As we were rising from this meal
we were informed that a third was preparing for us. We begged to
decline it, having a considerable distance to travel that afternoon;
but we were informed that this would be a great disappointment to
him who had prepared the feast, as, in order to outdo all the others,
he had killed a dog, which is considered not only as the greatest
delicacy, but also as a sacred animal, of which they eat only on
great occasions. In order to meet his wishes we deferred our journey
for an hour, but the repast not being then prepared we were compelled
to leave the village, to the great and manifest mortification of our
third host, and to the no small disappointment of most of our party,
who were desirous of tasting of the sacred animal. In order to make a
return for the civilities which we had received at the hands of the
Indians, we informed them that if they would despatch a messenger
with us we would send them from a neighboring trader’s house some
tobacco, all ours having been lost on the river. They gladly accepted
the proposal, and sent two lads with us for it. We met on the bluff
which commands the superintendent’s house an Indian who claims the
command of the Mahkpatoons. We had declined his invitation to stay at
his lodge in the afternoon, being desirous of reaching Mr. Moore’s
house as early as possible, but we promised to return about sunset,
and he accordingly made all due preparations to receive us. The chief
and his principal men were in waiting. We entered the skin-lodge, and
were seated on fine buffalo-robes spread all around; on the fire,
which was in the centre of the lodge, two large iron kettles, filled
with choicest pieces of buffalo, were placed. When the chief took his
seat he had near him a large pouch or bag, decorated with but little
taste, although he seemed to have gathered up all that he could
collect in the way of ornament. Among other things we observed an
old and dirty comb. He had, since our first visit, bedaubed his face
with white clay. After the usual preliminaries of shaking of hands,
smoking the pipe of peace, etc., we proceeded to the feast, which was
found excellent. The buffalo meat had been selected with care, the
fat and the lean judiciously portioned out, the whole boiled to a
proper degree; and in fine, though our appetites were not stimulated
to a long fast, this repast was one of the best of which we had ever
partaken. Our hosts were gratified and flattered at the quantity
which we ate; the residue of the feast was sent to our soldiers. In
this, and every other instance where we have been invited to a feast
by the Indians, we observed that they never eat with their guests.
Tatanka Wechachita is the nephew of a man of considerable distinction
among these Dakotas. Since the death of his uncle he has attempted
to be considered as his successor; but the former was never duly
acknowledged as chief, this title residing in Nunpakea, a man of
considerable bravery, who, by the influence of his family and his
talents, acquired that dignity in preference to his first cousins on
the death of their father.
Our host boasted of many flags and medals which his uncle had
obtained from our government, and which were then in his possession;
these and the influence of his great magician may probably secure
to him the dignity to which he aspires if he has talent enough to
uphold it. After the feast was over our host rose, shook hands with
all the gentlemen of our party, then resumed his seat and delivered
a speech which at the time appeared to us very pertinent and
interesting. It was delivered with apparent feeling, but not without
some hesitation. Having expressed to Renville our satisfaction at the
speech, he immediately observed that it expressed too much adulation
and too much whining; had Tatanka Wechachita been the chief that he
professed himself to be, his tone would have been more imposing, and
his style more dignified and decisive.
“Brothers, the subject upon which I am to address you is grievous
to me; and this grief is the motive which has thus far prevented me
from speaking to you. Since the lamented death of my revered uncle,
who died last year, I hate been called upon to succeed him, but as I
am not endued with experience to know how to direct myself, I shall
follow the advice which I have received from him, and therefore I
rejoice at seeing you, and I am gratified at your visit.
“I regret that my followers are now all absent. This is our hunting
season. In the autumn we collect in our villages to meet the traders.
Had you seen us thus collected, you would have found me at the head
of a large and powerful band of men. At present I am alone; still I
am pleased to see you.
“Brothers, there are two roads which we Dakotas usually travel;
my uncle trod both these paths. The first led him to the British,
far towards the rising sun. From them he received both kindness
and honor; they made him many presents, among which were flags
and medals. The other road led him to the Americans at St. Louis;
this road he subsequently travelled. From them he, in like manner,
received flags and medals. These he has bequeathed all to me.
“I should have unfurled my flags at your approach, but I am
unacquainted with the customs of your nation, and I am new in the
duties of my rank. I am ignorant how to act; but I am desirous of
following the advice of my dying uncle, who bade me remain at peace
with the Americans, and always consider them as my friends; and as
such I hold you.
“My friends, I am poor and very destitute; not so was my uncle. But I
have as yet followed neither of the roads which he travelled. Since I
have been called upon to rule over my people I have dwelt among them,
and have not been able to visit St. Louis in order to obtain presents
of powder and tobacco.
“I have already told you that my followers are absent; they are
hunting at the north; I have left with them my flags. I know not
whither you are going, but I presume you may meet them. They will
exhibit to you my flags, and you will know them, for they are those
of your nation. I shall send them word of your intention to travel
that way, and bid them if they see you to treat you with becoming
respect, assist you, supply you with provisions, and with whatever
else you may require.
“My friends, I am poor, and could not do much; but I have prepared
this little feast. You have partaken of it, and it has gratified me.
I am young, and inexperienced in speaking, but I have done my best.
Again I thank you for your flattering visit.”
While riding quietly across the prairie, with the eye intent upon the
beautiful prospect of the buffaloes that were grazing, our attention
was suddenly aroused by the discharge of a gun in the vicinity of the
river (Red River), which flowed about half a mile west of the course
that we were then travelling. While we were reckoning up our party to
know if any had straggled to a distance, we saw two Indians running
across the prairie; their number increased very soon to twelve or
fifteen, who hastened towards us, but as soon as they came near our
party, stopped and examined us with minuteness, after which they
presented their hands to us; we gave them ours. It was immediately
observed that they were in a complete state of preparation for war,
being perfectly naked with the exception of the breech-cloth. They
had even laid their blankets by. All of them were armed with guns,
apparently in very good order, or with bows and arrows, and some
with both. Their appearance, though at first friendly, soon became
insulting. Their party had, in the mean while, increased to thirty
or forty, so that they outnumbered ours. We found that they belonged
to the Wahkpakota or Leaf Indians, whose character, even among their
own countrymen, is very bad. We availed ourselves of Mr. Snelling’s
knowledge of the language to communicate to them, in the course of
conversation, our objects and intentions, as well as the friendly
reception which we had met with on the part of Wanotan and the other
Indians whom we had seen. In a tone rather imperative than courteous,
they expressed their wish that we should go to their camp and speak
to their old chief. This we declined doing, informing them that some
of our party had separated from us, and that we had a long journey to
travel.
They pointed to the sun, which was then low in the horizon, and added
that we had no time to proceed further, and that we had better encamp
with them that night.
While this conversation was going on Mr. Say remarked that, either
through design or accident, the Indians had intermixed themselves so
with our party that every one of our number was placed between two or
more of theirs. Mr. Snelling overheard them talking of our horses,
admiring them, and examining the points of each; one of their band
had even ventured so far as to ask him which horse was considered the
best of the party.
Finding that all further conversation was a waste of time, and
having given them as much tobacco as our small stock allowed us to
spare, Major Long mounted his horse and gave his men orders to march.
The Indians attempted no opposition at the time, but after we had
travelled about a quarter of a mile, they following in our rear, a
gun was fired at some distance on the prairie to the right of our
line, and a number of mounted Indians were seen in that direction
coming towards us. Those who had followed us then made a signal to
them that we were white men, and ran up to desire that, as their
chief was then coming up, we would stop and shake hands with him. The
party halted until the mounted Indians had come up and greeted us
in the usual manner. Observing that their chief was not among them,
Major Long again set his men in motion, but before we had proceeded
far several of them ran up to the head of the line, fired their guns
across our path, reloaded them immediately, and formed a crescent
in front of the leader to prevent him from proceeding. At that time
the number of Indians must have been about seventy or eighty, while
ours amounted only to twenty-five. Their intentions could not be
misunderstood. It was probable they did not care to harm our persons,
but they were anxious to pilfer our baggage, and especially to secure
our horses; and as we were resolved not to part with them without a
struggle, it was evident that the first gun fired would be the signal
for an attack which must end in the total destruction of our party;
for the number of the Indians, and their mode of dispersing upon the
prairie, and continually changing their situation during a skirmish,
would have given them a very great advantage over us, as, in order to
protect our horses and baggage, we would have remained in a body, and
exposed to their arrows and balls. But even in such a case they must
have lost some of their number, and this consideration, all-powerful
with Indians, probably induced them to defer their attack until
night, when their advantages would be still greater; and hence their
anxiety that we should encamp in the vicinity. Had Major Long been
entirely free to act as he pleased he would have avoided all further
conversation, and have proceeded the whole night without stopping
at all that evening; but this he could not do so long as some of
the gentlemen were separated from us, for in such a case they would
easily have been cut off by the Indians. It was to give them a chance
to overtake us that he had continued the conference so long, and that
he finally decided upon encamping at a point of wood then in sight,
but further than that which had been proposed by the Indians.
With this view the Major ordered his men to march, when one of the
Indians advanced up to the head of the line, stopped the horse of
the leader, and cocked his gun. The soldier who was there, and whose
name was George Bunker, immediately imitated this action, determined
to be prepared for a shot as soon as his antagonist. At this moment
Major Long marched up to the head of the line and led off his party.
There can be no doubt that the resolution thus manifested had a great
influence in preventing the Indians from making an immediate attack.
The party being again safely united, Major Long considering that if
an attack was intended it would be made a short time before daylight,
determined to allow the horses to rest until midnight, when the moon,
rising, would make it safe and pleasant to travel. Accordingly at
that hour we resumed our line of march. Our preparations were made
with the greatest expedition and silence, so as not to be observed
by the Indians at a distance, and to avoid disturbing the old
Indian sleeping, or affecting to sleep, under one of our carts.
In the latter purpose, however, we failed; the old man awoke, and
seeing what we were about, he left us immediately, notwithstanding
the attempt made to amuse him with conversation until we should be
ready to start; but we could not detain him; we saw him walk over
the prairie, and by the light of the moon traced his figure until he
approached near to the river, when he disappeared in the woods. This
was the last Dakota whom we saw....
Had not our attention been seriously occupied by the hostile
disposition manifested by these Indians we should have taken much
interest in witnessing one of their great diversions.
Some time before we met them we observed a fine buffalo bull, who
seemed to challenge a combat with our party; he travelled for about
two miles abreast of us, and almost within gun-shot; his eyes were
intently bent upon us. Though occasionally driven off by our dog, he
would constantly return, and continue in a parallel line, as though
he were watching our motions. This fearless character, so unlike
that of buffaloes in general, excited our surprise and admiration;
and accordingly we determined to spare him and see how long he would
continue to travel with us. But the noble animal offered too strong a
temptation to the Indians. Seeing him stop at the same place where we
halted, a few of them, especially the youngest of the party, ran up
to him, and in a few moments several balls and perhaps a dozen arrows
had reduced the animal to his last gasp. They then approached on all
sides, and while he was engaged in keeping off those on his left the
youths on his right would come so near him as to draw his attention
to them; the animal appeared galled, his rage was extreme, but his
weakness was equally so. At length some of them came very near to him
and caught hold of his tail: at this moment he was observed to be
tottering; they all drew off, the animal fell, and after two or three
convulsive throes he expired. A shout from the Indians announced the
death of their victim. This seemed to be a schooling for the youngest
of their party, a few of whom were mere boys.